An anti-smoking charity has suggested bringing in a hike of 5% in form of tax which should be imposed on tobacco, in order to make the smokers quit the habit. According to the group, imposing such tax on tobacco would make
190,000 smokers quit and simultaneously £20m a year could be saved.

The present rates prevailing in the UK market for a packet of 20 cigarettes are approximately £6.20.

Such steps shall curtail the habit of smoking in the youngsters and further will discourage them from buying cigarettes, in a report for Action on Smoking and Health.

The reduction in smokers would cut smoking-related absence from work, saving more than £10m a year, according to the report. Such steps would not only improve the habits amongst youngsters but will the extra tax would also incline the yearly Government revenues by more than £500m.

According to the report smoking is not a choice by taste but a habit acquired in the childhood days due to curiosity. Further, the report suggests that if such an action is implied then the economy of Britain can witness an improvement of extra £270m for the first five years.

Many organisations like the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths are in the support for such step.